Monday, May 14, 2012

Categories and Classes of Water Damage Mitigation



Water damage mitigation means to control or contain / make smaller. It's to control the cost of the loss and prevent further damage from occurring by taking reasonable and prudent steps to secure and protect the property from on-going damage.

Water damage is generally arranged in 3 different categories. Scope of work and remediation process depends on category of loss. There are 3 categories of water damage restoration.

Category 1: "Clean Water" water source that does not pose substantial harm to humans. Example of category 1 includes water damage caused by a pipe, washer machine, etc.

Category 2: "Gray Water" water containing some degree of contamination. Has the potential to cause substantial discomfort or sickness.

Category 3: "Black Water" grossly unsanitary. Contains pathogenic (disease causing) agents.

Example of category 3 include water from the outside (flood damage), sewage, etc.

In addition to the water damage category, there are also different classes of water damage.

Class 1 is considered as "Slow rate of evaporation" which affects only a portion of a room. Materials have a low permeance/porosity. Minimum moisture is absorbed by the materials.

Class 2 is considered as "fast rate of evaporation" which means that water affects the entire room of carpet and cushion. May have wicked up the walls, but not more than 24 inches.

Class 3 generally is the "fastest rate of evaporation" water generally comes from overhead, affecting the entire area; walls, ceilings, insulation, carpet, cushion, etc.

Class 4 is "specialty drying situations". This involves materials with a very low permeance/porosity, such as hardwood floors, concrete, crawlspaces, plaster, etc. Drying generally requires very low specific humidity to accomplish drying.

What to do when you do have water damage? Thorough extraction along with contents protection is necessary in order to decrease overall drying time and reduce the possibility of rust and furniture stains. Do make sure that the water damage source have been stopped and repairs have been made. Turn off electrical power to affected areas - Only if safe to do so. Wash hands after handling any wet items. Remove all small furnishings out of the affected area, making ready for the restoration technicians. Remove any paper products off the floor; books, wrapping paper, etc. to prevent damage both to the flooring materials and to the paper products. Check everywhere a remote chance of water may exist somewhere. Check all adjoining areas to the obvious affected areas, behind baseboards, under and behind cabinets, vanities and built-ins, crawl spaces - most often missed. Remove a portion of the floor insulation under the affected area and check for moisture. You will probably be surprised what you find.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6736698



After water damage has occurred, leave the clean up process to the professionals....call Easton Construction Group, Inc. We specialize in property and structure restoration. ECG INC is a full service restoration provider. We provide a Single Claim Solution (SCS) for all property and structure damages resulting from fire damage, water damage, smoke damage, storm damage, vandalism and structure damage caused by vehicle impacts. 
We are here to help when you need it. Providing first response to your needs 24 / 7. 

925-757-6000 Corporate
510-473-5070  Alameda
209-910-5070  San Joaquin

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